Soccer
Pochettino left baffled by Balogun dismissal as USA progress to last 16
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Baffled, angry, confused, bemused. Pick any of these words, and probably many others, and Mauricio Pochettino was certainly that after Folarin Balogun saw red in the USA's World Cup Round of 32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The striker, having opened the scoring for the co-hosts in the 45th minute, was then sent off in the 64th minute for a clash with Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic, but only after the intervention of VAR.
Balogun's studs did rack down the back of Muharemovic's calf and ankle, but it appeared an accident as the two players jostled for position as they battled to receive a high ball, with both players eyes glued to the incoming ball.
It all appear an innocuous moment in real time, but then referee Raphael Claus has sent to the VAR monitor for a second look, where he was initially shown a freezeframe shot of the 24-year-old former Arsenal youngster's foot on the back of Muharemovic's calf.
After watching numerous slow motion replays the Brazilian decided to brandished a red to a bemused and stunned Balogun.
It left the USA down to 10 men, clinging on to a 1-0 lead with a quarter of the content still to play.
But instead of feeling sorry for themselves and risking a complete collapse, the team used the perceived injustice to galvanise their performance, with Malik Tillman's 82nd minute free kick sealing the victory and progress into the Round of 16.
The USA will now face Belgium on Monday, July 6, but without their talisman with three World Cup goals to his name, leaving Pochettino frustrated at the official's decisions.
Watch Mauricio Pochettino reaction to Balogun red card
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